Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a mid-sized European country with a beautiful nature, an interesting history and good food. Its economy offers continuing opportunities as it expands faster than the rest of Europe.

Bulgaria is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia with a population of 7 million struggling to improve its standard of living. But the task at hand for this Slavonic-speaking EU member is not easy. Bulgaria is not part of the Schengen Area yet, but the country’s efforts have been focused on meeting the Schengen standards and securing reliable external borders.

The Country

Population: 7 millions

Language: Bulgarian, Cyrillic alphabet

Visa-Free Travel: 140 countries

Currency: Lev (BGN)

The Program

Personal Net Worth

1,000,000 BGN

INVESTMENT AMOUNT

Benefits

Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. Its citizens can live, work, study and travel freely in all of the EU’s 28 member states. As a Bulgarian citizen, you will have access to the EU educational system and to the healthcare system.

You are granted permanent resident status with full EU advantages after five years as a temporary resident. You become eligible for citizenship within five years. Doubling the initial investment makes you eligible for the fast-track option to citizenship after at least one-year of obtaining permanent resident status and maintaining the additional investment for two years.

Other major benefits include a flat 10-percent income and corporate tax rate and even 0-percent in high unemployment areas. However access to quality health care and education services depends largely on where you settle.

Investment

You can deposit BGN 1-million in a personal bank account in Bulgaria for the purchase of a government bond. The full amount is returned without interest after five years.

Or you can finance the amount through a European bank. You can borrow EUR195,000 which covers lending costs and is not refundable. If you double the amount invested in government bonds and commit to maintaining the investment in place for a defined period you are entitled to the fast-track option in gaining citizenship. The same applies for a US$1.3-million investment in a company that participates in a government designated project.

Other options include investments in Bulgarian companies ranging from US$165,000 to US$300,000 to develop poorer regions or create jobs.

Financial Requirements

You must have a combined net worth of about EUR 1,000,000 comprised of cash, property, business or securities should you choose the financed option or about half that amount for the full investment option.

While compliance and due diligence standards may be questionable, you will be required to prove that your capital was legally obtained. You must maintain your investment in place for the time required to fulfill the requirements leading to permanent resident status and eventually citizenship.

Depending on the amount and type of investment you make an investor is eligible for different terms of residence. But a cautious investment approach is recommended.

Commitment

You and your family are not required to be physically present in Bulgaria. And your absence has no impact on your immigration status and the eventual granting of citizenship. You will only need to go to Bulgaria 2 times: First to apply for their Permanent Residence Permit and then apply and obtain his ID card (The applicant can apply for citizenship at a consulate abroad).

There is no language requirement. Getting citizenship in Bulgaria does not require investors to relinquish their current citizenship.

Furthermore no prior business experience or work experience is required and there are no restrictions regarding age or education.

Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. Its citizens can live, work, study and travel freely in all of the EU’s 28 member states. As a Bulgarian citizen, you will have access to the EU educational system and to the healthcare system.

You are granted permanent resident status with full EU advantages after five years as a temporary resident. You become eligible for citizenship within five years. Doubling the initial investment makes you eligible for the fast-track option to citizenship after at least one-year of obtaining permanent resident status and maintaining the additional investment for two years.

Other major benefits include a flat 10-percent income and corporate tax rate and even 0-percent in high unemployment areas. However access to quality health care and education services depends largely on where you settle.

You can deposit BGN 1-million in a personal bank account in Bulgaria for the purchase of a government bond. The full amount is returned without interest after five years.

Or you can finance the amount through a European bank. You can borrow EUR195,000 which covers lending costs and is not refundable. If you double the amount invested in government bonds and commit to maintaining the investment in place for a defined period you are entitled to the fast-track option in gaining citizenship. The same applies for a US$1.3-million investment in a company that participates in a government designated project.

Other options include investments in Bulgarian companies ranging from US$165,000 to US$300,000 to develop poorer regions or create jobs.

You must have a combined net worth of about EUR 1,000,000 comprised of cash, property, business or securities should you choose the financed option or about half that amount for the full investment option.

While compliance and due diligence standards may be questionable, you will be required to prove that your capital was legally obtained. You must maintain your investment in place for the time required to fulfill the requirements leading to permanent resident status and eventually citizenship.

Depending on the amount and type of investment you make an investor is eligible for different terms of residence. But a cautious investment approach is recommended.

You and your family are not required to be physically present in Bulgaria. And your absence has no impact on your immigration status and the eventual granting of citizenship. You will only need to go to Bulgaria 2 times: First to apply for their Permanent Residence Permit and then apply and obtain his ID card (The applicant can apply for citizenship at a consulate abroad).

There is no language requirement. Getting citizenship in Bulgaria does not require investors to relinquish their current citizenship.

Furthermore no prior business experience or work experience is required and there are no restrictions regarding age or education.